Improving heart and kidney outcomes for patients with kidney disease
Cardiorenal disorders refer to problems with the heart and the kidneys. As many of the processes which can lead to disease in the heart (and blood vessels) and the kidney are similar, having a problem with one organ can lead to increased risk of damage in the other.
The common risk factors include:
- high blood pressure
- cardiovascular disease
- diabetes
- obesity.
We spoke to Krishnaraj Rathod, co-chair of the cardiorenal clinical study group, about his role and ambitions for cardiorenal research.
Cardiorenal clinical study group
The cardiorenal clinical study group is a national group dedicated to supporting and driving clinical research into diseases affecting the heart and kidneys. This includes looking at topics such as:
- Understanding treatments for the cardiovascular complications of chronic kidney disease (CKD)
- Why patients with CKD are at such a high risk of heart problems
- Why patients with cardiovascular disease develop kidney problems and better treatments to prevent these issues. The group conducts studies and clinical trials across the country to try and address these questions.
A Q&A with Krishna
Could you tell us a little bit about your career and interests?
“I am a clinical senior lecturer at Queen Mary University, London and a consultant in cardiology based at St Bartholomew's Hospital, London. This means that I study, assess and treat patients with diseases of the heart and blood vessels.
About a year ago, I began work in a cardiorenal medicine clinic and noted a huge research opportunity because of how closely the heart and kidneys work together. Many kidney patients have heart issues that need to be addressed. This is important work to acknowledge because kidney patients I see in the cardiology clinic present with unique patterns of disease.
I have recently become co-chair of the cardiorenal clinical study group at Kidney Research UK and am really looking forward to the opportunities for increasing research that this will offer.”
What are the future aims and aspirations of the group? And why is it important to have this cardiorenal perspective in research?
We know that patients with kidney disease are at higher risk of heart disease, but we need to improve our understanding of the pathways that lead to cardiorenal disease. Different studies are being carried out within the group to address this knowledge gap. If we get increased input from cardiologists, then we can also improve heart related complications for kidney patients.
Having joined this group, I have found opportunities for collaboration that I have not seen before.
I look forward to the future of this group and hope to see the involvement of more cardiologists within this space.”
What do you want to achieve in the first six months as chair?
My initial aim is to encourage cardiologists to be more involved in this group which, in turn, will lead to better understanding and a more collaborative approach in managing patients with cardiorenal disease.
In addition, I would like to enable better collaboration between the cardiology and nephrology research councils and charities to increase funding opportunities.
Read about the research we're funding
Could understanding blood pressure changes during sleep in kidney patients be key to protecting heart and vessel health?
New results suggest that bladder cancer could be caused by the body’s response to common childhood virus
SMC approval of mercaptamine offers new hope and choice for people living with cystinosis in Scotland
Research looking at repurposing drugs to treat polycystic kidney disease shows promising new results
Personalising treatments for focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis patients receiving a kidney transplant
Get our e-newsletter
Stay up to date with our kidney research news, events and ways to get involved.